We finished our coffee and Dr Calvin began to talk about the developments of the last fifty years.
'Earth became too small for nations, and the change from nations to Regions was began by robot. I'm thinking of a man who died last year.' Her voice was suddenly deep;y sad. 'He arranged to die, because he knew that we needed him no longer. Stephen Byerley.'
'Yes, I guessed that you were talking about him.'
'He first entered government in 2032. You were only a boy then, so you won't remember his strange election as City Governor...'
Francis Quinn was a politician, and he came to see Alfred Lanning with a problem.
Quinn's voice was friendly. 'I think you know Stephen Byerley?'
Dr Lanning, sitting at the other side of the desk, frowned impatiently. 'I have heard of him. I believe he may be our next City Governor.'
'That's right. At the moment he's only a lawyer. But if enough people vote for him at the election, three moments from now, he will become the next governor.'
Lanning was becoming impatient. 'Mr Quinn, I have no interest in politicians'